William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi
William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi , stage name Willie K or Uncle Willie (born October 17, 1960 in Lāhainā , Maui ; † May 19, 2020 in Kahului , Maui Island, Hawaii ) was an American musician from Maui, the second largest island in Hawaii.
Willie Kahaialiʻi is the son of the jazz musician Manu Kahaialiʻi . With plucked instruments, he has been playing blues , swing , reggae , salsa and rock music since he was 10 . He performed with falset singer Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom and her brother Eric. With Eric Gilliom he called himself Barefoot Natives .
Willie K. toured Germany in 2009 with the group Simply Red and became known for the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow . Inspired by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole , he sang the song for the ukulele .
Well-known titles are: Fireman's Hula, Holoholo Kaʻa, Kau Ele Makule / CAT, Ke ala O Ka Rose, Kuʻu Hoa, Kuʻu Home O Keaukaha, Luau Hula, Meleana E, My Sweet Sweetie, Noe Noe UA Kea O Hana, Pa Mai Ana Ka Makani, Pipi Kiwi Nui, Waikiki Hula, Appleberry Hill, Good Morning, Here's My Heart, Hoʻokipa Surf Song, I Will Dance For You, Katchi Katchi Music Makawao.
The guitar maker Peter Liebermann named a design after Willie K.
Willie K was committed to the preservation of the Polynesian heritage.
source
- The Honolulu Weekly
Web links
- official homepage
- William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi at Discogs (English)
Individual evidence
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^ Hawaiian music icon Willie K has passed away. In: kitv.com. May 19, 2020, accessed on May 19, 2020 . Beloved Hawaiʻi Musician Willie K Dies at 59. In: hawaiimagazine.com. May 19, 2020, accessed on May 20, 2020 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kahaialiʻi, William Awihilima |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | K, Willie (pseudonym); Uncle Willie (pseudonym) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Hawaiian musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 17, 1960 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Lahaina, Maui |
| DATE OF DEATH | 19th May 2020 |
| Place of death | Kahului , Maui Island, Hawaii |